Statesboro is once again buzzing with activity as Georgia Southern University welcomes a record-breaking number of students back to campus for the fall 2025 semester. Traffic and community life saw a noticeable uptick today as a projected record-breaking freshman class and returning students began moving in.
Now is our chance to show them some real "Southern Hospitality" performing random acts of kindness in any way we can to welcome them to our community.
The influx of students is part of "The Eagle Experience," a comprehensive orientation program designed to introduce new students to life as an Eagle and re-acclimate returning students. The university projects a total enrollment of more than 29,000 students this year, an institutional record, and a freshman class of nearly 6,000 students, also a new record.
Operation Move-In officially kicked off today, Friday, August 8, with a team of faculty, staff, student leaders, and community volunteers assisting the university's largest freshman class on record as they settled into their new homes. Students will continue moving in throughout the weekend to prepare for the first day of classes on Wednesday, August 13. To help students find their way, welcome tents staffed by volunteers will be set up across the Statesboro, Armstrong, and Liberty campuses.
The welcome festivities extend beyond move-in day. Georgia Southern Athletics and the Division of Student Affairs will host Fan Day at Allen E. Paulson Stadium tomorrow, Saturday, August 9. This free and open-to-the-public event, presented by Optim Orthopedics and Morris Bank, will combine the university's "First Flight" tradition with a fan-focused football experience.
The event kicks off at 4:00 PM with shuttle service, followed by open field access at 4:30 PM. The First Flight tradition begins at 5:30 PM, and a football practice and scrimmage will begin at 7:00 PM.
"The Eagle Experience" will continue throughout the month with various events designed to help students acclimate to campus life, build connections with peers and faculty, and learn about Georgia Southern's traditions.
A full list of events is available on the university's website at GeorgiaSouthern.edu/EagleExperience.
